Santa Ynez High teams see early-season action before winter break
The Santa Barbara Community Rowing racing team excelled during the first weekend of December at the Christmas Regatta in Long Beach, California.
On Dec. 7, the team competed in this unique, short sprint event against teams from the southwest U.S.
SBCR’s Jacie Dingman, a Santa Ynez High School sophomore, came home with three medals: gold in the U19 Women’s Single, silver in the U17 Women’s Single, and bronze in the U17 Women’s Double with teammate Lizzie Jacobsen, a sophomore at San Marcos High School.
Other gold medal winners included the U15 coxed quad rowed by Will and Campbell Allen (Goleta Valley Junior High), John Asher (Laguna Blanca), Finn McCauley, and Zen Budden (Laguna Blanca). McCauley and Will Allen also came together in the U16 Men’s Double for a silver medal.
Another foursome took home bronze in a U16 quad that included Aidan Chase (Alpha School), Liam Moore (Alpha School), McCauley, and the Allen brothers.
The SBCR Masters team also competed at the regatta, bringing home an additional three silver and two bronze medals.
“What a great end of our fall season and start of the sprint season,” said SBCR Coach Gracie Barbara. “I am extremely proud of all of our rowers; we took home a lot of medals, which is a direct result of their hard work. We have several new rowers and it’s great to see them being so competitive so quickly. We have a very bright season ahead of us.”
Santa Barbara Community Rowing, based at Cachuma Lake, is the only rowing organization in Santa Barbara County. If you are interested in donating to the club, or learning more about rowing, SBCR offers summer camps for youth ages 11-plus, as well as Learn to Row programs throughout the year for adults and kids.
For more information visit www.rowsbc.org/
SYHS boys soccer edges Mission Prep to go above .500
Vince Guerrero scored the first goal of the match and then the game-winner in the second half as the Santa Ynez High boys soccer team defeated Mission Prep 3-2 on Saturday, Dec. 13, in San Luis Obispo, raising its record to 3-2.
Guerrero was assisted by Mario Villegas for the Pirates’ first goal of the half. Mission Prep scored twice to take a 2-1 lead into the half. However, the Pirates were able to come back in the second half, scoring twice on direct free kicks — Cristian Sandoval tied the game, and then Guerrero made scored the tiebreakers.
Guerrero currently leads SYHS on the young season with 4 goals and 9 points.
Two days earlier, SYHS dropped a 2-1 decision at Lompoc. After a scorless first half, Guerrero tallied the first goal, again with an assist from Villegas, but the Braves came back with two goals for the win.
Coach Hector Garcia’s Pirates began Sunset League play at home Tuesday, Dec. 16, against Atascadero, and will play visiting Nipomo on Friday, Dec. 19, at 6 p.m. The team will then go on winter break, with its next game on Saturday, Jan. 3, at Morro Bay.
SYHS boys basketball goes 1-2 at Morro Bay tournament
The Santa Ynez High boys basketball team defeated Hilmar 67-48 on Saturday, Dec. 13, at the Morro Bay HIT Tournament, salvaging a win after three losses in the three-day affair.
Lucas Ollenburger had 21 points and 9 rebounds against Hilmar, while Gael Villalobos added 14 points and 13 rebounds, and Jude Pritchard posted 12 points and 10 rebounds.
Ollenburger had a total of 53 points over the four games, and leads the team in scoring with 16.8 points per game. Pritchard is second with 14.5 ppg, and Villalobos third at 13.3 ppg as of Dec. 13.
The PIrates lost their first three games of the tournament to San Luis Obispo (55-51), Nevada Union (66-42), and Central East of Fresno (68-57), and are 4-7 after the Hilmar win. After games against Laguna Blanca (Dec. 16) and Morro Bay (Dec. 18), SYHS returns home to play Channel Islands on Friday, Dec. 19, its last game before winter break.
SYHS girls basketball off to 4-1 start
The Santa Ynez High girls basketball team beat visiting Pioneer Valley 54-24 on Dec. 9. Lexi Molera led the way with 13 points, while Jazmine Juarez added 8 points, and Elena Sleiman and Lilli Palacios had 6 points and 4 steals apiece.
The Pioneer Valley game was the team’s last until they go to the Oxnard Tournament on Dec. 26 and play three Ventura County teams: Oxnard (Dec. 26), Buena (Dec. 27), and Rio Mesa (Dec. 29).
